but the last time we had one of these debt ceiling debacles that embarrassment was the first downgrade of u.s. credit in history. if congress doesn't act and we default for the first time ever, the consequences are likely to be severe for all of us. federal interest costs would likely rise, business and personal borrowing costs would probably follow. it would also make the struggle to manage our historic debt levels tougher. the worst thing that can happen if you're beck lg under debt, is for your interest rate to go up. it could mean higher taxes and more cults to programs and services from the government. any hope for a controlled fix to our debt problem would be compromised. failing to pay for what we've already spent would be hazardous to the fragile economic recovery now gaining steam. just this week we got a reading about construction of new homes. it jumped 12.1% in december compared to the month before. that's the highest in more than four years. first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell to a five-year low. and the stock market that you invested in your 401(k) and i.r.a.